4th of July Celebrated With Dazzling Fireworks, Music Across The Country

Independence Day fireworks light the sky over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, July 4, 2013. The iconic Washington skyline of the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial serve as a backdrop for the U.S. national birthday celebration each year.
Reuters

People watch the fireworks erupt over the Hudson River, with the skyline of New York in the background, during the Macy's Independence Day celebration in Weehawken, New Jersey.
Reuters

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Thousands of Americans came out to watch fireworks light the skylines of New York, Boston and Washington D.C., as the nation celebrated its Independence Day on Thursday.

An extravagant light show lit up the Empire State Building during Macy's 37th annual Fourth of July celebrations in New York, which was watched by locals and tourists from all over the world.

"He wanted to see the largest fireworks show in the world so we planned our vacation specifically to see the show in Manhattan," his mom added.

The over-the-top display in New York, which lasted for about 25 minutes and let out a barrage of red, white and blue sparks, had tourists taking out their cell phones to capture the impressive display.

In Washington D.C., the sky over iconic structures such as the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial was lit up in a fireworks show that lasted for more than 17 minutes, following a concert at the National Mall by Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Diamond sang ‘Sweet Caroline’ in a touching tribute to the victims and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing, and National Symphony Orchestra composer John Williams played a score from the piece ‘Lincoln.’ The concert was wrapped up by Manilow with ‘Let Freedom Ring.’

Celebrations in Boston, which included the Boston Pops Fourth of July Concert, saw its first large-scale gathering since the Boston Marathon bombing in April that killed three and injured hundreds.

In Seward, Alaska, thousands raced up a 3,022-foot peak as part of a holiday run while New Orleans kicked off the Essence Festival along the riverfront to celebrate black culture and music, Fox News reported.

In California, 4th of July fireworks were scheduled over the San Francisco Bay at 9:30 p.m., the San Francisco Chronicle reported.